SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Olympia
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA · 10 metro areas compared
In Olympia, WA the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators reaches $103,060 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Olympia, WA the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators reaches $103,060 a year. That is 72.2% more than the national median of $59,850. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $69,620 and $113,800. The lowest tenth earn under $53,680, while the highest tenth earn more than $123,280.
Employment stands at 260, or 2.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Seattle leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $95,750. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 77th of 345 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,680 | −10.3% |
| 25th | $69,620 | +16.3% |
| Median (50th) | $103,060 | +72.2% |
| 75th | $113,800 | +90.1% |
| 90th | $123,280 | +106.0% |
| Mean | $92,780 | +55.0% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $95,750 | 4,860 | |
| 2 | Bellingham | $91,510 | 400 | |
| 3 | Wenatchee | $89,460 | 240 | |
| 4 | Mount Vernon | $85,390 | 180 | |
| 5 | Kennewick | $79,850 | 460 | |
| 6 | Bremerton | $77,780 | 180 | |
| 7 | Spokane | $74,360 | 700 | |
| 8 | Yakima | $71,810 | 190 | |
| 9 | Walla Walla | $67,750 | 50 | |
| 10 | Longview | $64,150 | 190 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Olympia run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $103,060 buys what $96,318 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 60.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$103,060as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$96,318US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $103,060 a year, 72.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $53,680 to $123,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $95,750.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Olympia, WA?
The median annual wage is $103,060, or $49.55 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,850, so pay in Olympia, WA is 72.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Olympia, WA earns more than $123,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $53,680 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Seattle, at $95,750 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 jobs in this occupation in Olympia, WA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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